King’s Wrath
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Gavriel looked at him with surprise. ‘You know?’
‘Yes, I know. I killed him.’
‘You?‘ Loethar hissed. ‘But he was working for you!’
‘He killed my mother,’ Leo said. ‘I swore a blood oath that I would kill him, so I did, once he had told us everything he knew.’
Loethar let out a growl of frustration. ‘Freath was a traitor in my life for ten anni. All of those clever conversations, steering me onto a particular path while he went down the other.’ He shook his head. Then he smiled. ‘And still I admire him. And still I like him.’ He smirked. ‘I had convinced myself he was the most honest person in my life even when he was lying every minute. Incredible.’
‘I can’t believe it,’ Gavriel said. ‘He protected us?’
Leo nodded. ‘My father asked him to pretend to be a turncoat should the time arrive. My mother asked him to help her to commit suicide, make it look as though he’d thrown her from the window in order to protect his cover while releasing her from her imprisonment and grief. Her death at his hands meant the Valisars could still have a loyalist in the enemy midst.’ Again he threw a bitter glance Loethar’s way. ‘But being involved in my mother’s death couldn’t be forgiven. I would have killed him anyway for that alone.’
‘Demonstrating your immaturity and lack of capacity to rule wisely,’ Loethar accused, bitterness combining with a cold, controlled fury in his soft voice. ‘I can’t begin to tell you what a tightrope Freath must have walked each day of his life on your behalf. He ingratiated himself so deeply into my life that I actually mourned him more than my own mother, my own child! And look how you rewarded him.’ He choked back what sounded like a sigh of deep regret.
‘I wish that were the truth,’ Leo replied, equally cold. ‘It’s my impression that Freath admired you more than you can know. He was torn, I think. His loyalties were to my father and myself, also to Piven. But he had an abiding respect for you … more’s the pity.’
‘I thank you for sharing that,’ Loethar said quietly.
Gavriel’s head was in turmoil. Freath, never a traitor! ‘Well, now you have the answer you came looking for. I think we should just throw you back at your dog of a brother. You can kill each other.’
Loethar smirked. ‘If you really thought that, you wouldn’t have interfered in the forest.’
‘It wasn’t my idea, believe me,’ Gavriel growled.
Gone was the sorrow in Loethar’s eyes. Suddenly he was all hardness and ruthless control again. ‘Then let’s get this done, shall we? My sympathies are with Elka. Like her, I tire of your empty threats. If you mean to kill me, do it now and be done with it. Leo, here’s your chance to be the brave Valisar. Run through the pretender — if you truly believe I am just that.’
Gavriel saw Leo stiffen and knew he had to keep his own anger in check as an example to the young king. ‘Leo, a word,’ he said, gritting his teeth. Mercifully, Leo stood, turning his back on Loethar. Gavriel glanced at Elka. ‘Shut him up,’ he said, loading his voice with disdain. Then he followed Leo to a quiet spot far from where they could be seen, let alone heard.
‘Don’t say it,’ Leo warned.
‘As your friend, as your Legate, my king, I must say it.’
Leo scowled but remained quiet.
‘It would be a mistake to kill him. This wedge now driven between him and Stracker is playing precisely into your favour.’
‘How so?’
‘My father taught us that there is always more than one way to regard a situation, more than one way to treat an enemy. Loethar is our prisoner. We might be able to make use of him. Let’s at least consider it. Think on it. Killing him solves nothing. Using him might give us options.’
Leo nodded, considering the advice. He paced around, looking up into an overcast sky, and Gavriel was again struck that such a young man had such a weight of responsibility on his shoulders.
‘Gavriel, I know you haven’t been around the region for a decade. Me too, I’ve lived on the fringe of life. But I don’t think either of us will ever forget his cunning or just how wily he is.’
‘I accept that,’ Gavriel replied, frowning. ‘What’s your point?’
‘My point is that he will find a way to turn on me. If I give him so much as a finger width of movement, he’ll make it work for him. He is far cleverer than most give him credit for.’
‘It seems Freath had his measure,’ Gavriel murmured. ‘Damn it, Leo, was it necessary to kill him?’
‘Freath. I will not be allowed to forget that decision by anyone, will I?’ Gavriel shrugged and Leo shook his head. ‘You are not the first to criticise. Kilt has never forgiven me my rash fury of that day. But I defy you to have faced Freath in the same ignorant situation.’
Gavriel glared angrily at the king. ‘Leo, I’ve had to save the life of the man who brutally slaughtered my defenceless father before me. Do you forget how my father died? His head hacked from top to shoulder, his horse dragging him behind it while Loethar howled his glee? I’ve had to keep that monster company, keep him protected. I did it for you alone. Don’t talk to me about losing control.’
Leo had the grace to look admonished. ‘Forgive me. I haven’t forgotten what you’ve been through on my behalf. But I am perhaps at the mercy of the brutal images of my boyhood. I still have nightmares of my baby brother dragging around the gore from our freshly decapitated father as my mother watched on in shocked horror.’
Gavriel held both hands up in defence. ‘Look, this is all history and we can’t re-make it. Our parents are dead, may Gar rest their souls. And Freath is gone. There is no point in our rehashing the rights and wrongs of it. But killing Loethar doesn’t solve the problem at hand. Do you agree that alongside his half-brother he is the lesser of the two evils?’ Leo gave him a pained look. ‘I know, Leo, I know. They are both killers. But Loethar has a modicum of control. He seems to kill only with specific reason. In fact, everything he does, everything he says is considered. I’m not condoning his usurping of the throne or the manner in which it was done, I’m simply saying that Stracker has no control, no subtlety … he has no conscience! If you kill Loethar, Stracker will take easy command of the throne and army. Imagine what will happen then.’
Leo walked away and Gavriel gave him some time to let his points sink in. At last Leo turned back, a sly look on his face. ‘We will not kill him,’ he said. ‘But I’m not sure you’ll get him to agree not to kill me. Face it, Gav, he’s been hunting me for too many anni. The first chance he gets — all we have to do is slip up once — and he’ll take that chance and slide a blade into me, or choke me, or poison me.’
‘I agree that he cannot be trusted. But it’s my task to protect you. That’s my problem, not yours.’
Leo smiled and Gavriel didn’t like the cunning in his face. ‘It doesn’t need to be your problem. I am Valisar, so I too have an aegis.’
Gavriel took a breath, frowning. ‘All right, but where does one start hunting down —’
‘There is no need to hunt down mine, not if one I can take is right before us.’
Gavriel stared at Leo uncomprehendingly and then understanding hit him like a thunder crack. ‘You wouldn’t!’
‘Why not?’
‘Faris is … ’
‘An aegis?’
‘I was going to say your friend. A loyal friend.’
‘Yes, and now he can demonstrate the ultimate form of that loyalty; he can become my champion. Gav, don’t you see, he can offer me the most superior form of protection against Loethar, against anyone!’ Gavriel heard glee in his king’s voice. ‘My enemies can try anything they like against me and it will have no effect. I would only be able to die for natural reasons.’ Leo’s eyes were sparkling.
‘You could do that? You can see yourself claiming him? Maiming him?’
‘Oh come on, Gav, don’t be squeamish! We’re talking about my life now. Kilt wouldn’t have to be hurt that badly.’
‘And you’d eat part of him?’
Leo bristled with anger. ‘I will do whatever I have to in order to reclaim my throne.’ He pulled open his shirt. ‘Remember this? We made this scar together. And we took an oath together. It wasn’t the promise of a child. That was the promise of a king. I have been in exile for most of my life. Need I remind you how many lives were given to keep mine safe for this very reason, your own father’s included?’
‘I don’t need reminding,’ Gavriel replied sharply.
‘Then don’t fight me on this. It is the right solution.’
‘It’s the right solution if Kilt agrees but I can’t imagine he will.’
‘He gave his word to my father that he would protect me. Now this is the only way that Kilt can keep that promise.’
‘He hasn’t done a bad job so far.’
Leo opened his mouth to respond, then closed it again, looking frustrated. He appeared to take a steadying breath. His voice was hard when he spoke again. ‘I’m going to trammel him, Gav, and I’ll probably need your help.’
‘I’m not sure I’d —’
‘I’m not asking. I’m telling you that I require your help.’
It was Gavriel’s turn to fall silent. As he regarded Leo he realised his father must have been put into an identically difficult position time and again with Brennus. And Regor de Vis had never failed his king. He nodded. ‘As you wish, your majesty.’
‘Good. Jewd will be the problem rather than Kilt. You may need to disable him, but he is not to be harmed permanently.’
Gavriel didn’t reply.
‘We may also need Elka’s help.’
‘That will be her decision.’
‘Well, she’s hardly going to do it for me, Gav. I’m hoping that you will persuade her.’
‘I can try, but I’ll tell you now she answers to no one.’
Leo gave him a glance and Gavriel wasn’t sure whether to read pity or disdain in it. Either way, it was condescending and he was shocked at how hurt he felt.
‘When do you want to do this?’ he demanded, making sure his voice sounded anything but servile.
‘Immediately. Loethar must not get wind of what we’re planning. We will have to tie him up or drug him.’
‘I saw the look he gave you, Leo. I think you’re underestimating Loethar if you don’t already think his mind has taken him there.’
And Gavriel knew he was right when Leo turned away, unable to meet his gaze.
4
The youngster caught up. ‘You walk fast.’
‘Sorry,’ the man said, his voice slightly hoarse.
‘How do you feel?’
‘Powerful,’ he replied and they both laughed.
‘I would consider it far more powerful to be a bird.’
‘More freedom perhaps, but not more power. Look how I can swing my arms, notice my long stride, and listen to this.’ He began to sing.
Roddy laughed delightedly and the newly formed man called Ravan stopped singing and swung the boy around in a moment of unfettered pleasure. ‘I like your laugh, Roddy.’
‘I like your voice,’ the boy replied as he was set back down.
‘Anything’s better than that dreadful caw I used to have.’
‘You were a most handsome bird.’
‘Now I’m an even more handsome man.’
‘That you are. Can your long stride get us all the way to where we need to be?’
‘Easily. It’s not so far.’
‘Further on foot than as the crow flies, though,’ Roddy said and they both chuckled. ‘What do you think our real task is?’
Ravan had been thinking about this ever since he had seen Sergius speaking to him from the flames. ‘Our role is to help the princess.’
‘But how?’
‘I don’t know yet, Roddy. We have both been given powers and we have to work out not only what but how to use them.’
‘How will we know her?’
‘I don’t know the answer to that. But we have to push on and hope we’ll discover all that we need to know.’
‘Do you remember what Sergius said when he was dying?’
Ravan smiled. ‘He spoke about several things.’
‘The bit about telling people about Piven.’
Ravan paused again, frowning as he thought back over the conversation with the dying Sergius. ‘He did say that, you’re right. That’s very sharp of you, Roddy. I had overlooked it.’
‘Well, I was just wondering who we had to tell and where they may be.’
‘I think I know exactly who he meant.’
‘You do?’
‘I suspect he meant anyone who is loyal to the Valisars.’
‘Who might that be?’
‘That would be Leonel and his supporters.’
‘The prince? But they say he died in the wars.’
Ravan let Roddy down off his broad shoulders and squatted so that his friend did not have to stare up at him. ‘Leonel did not die in the wars. He survived, escaped Loethar’s clutches, and fled into the forests north of here. He has grown up, tall and strong with a fierce desire to be king in more than name.’
Roddy’s eyes shone. ‘Really?’
Ravan nodded. ‘I think we need to find him and let him know that his sister returns and that his brother is now his enemy.’
‘Will he believe us?’
‘He has to. We must make sure he does.’
‘How long will it take us to reach the forest?’
Ravan frowned. ‘Too long. We’re pretty far west still, so we need to swing east now if we want to make it into the Davarigon region of Droste.’
Roddy smiled. ‘Then we’d better run!’
‘We could never keep pace with each other. My legs are too long.’
The boy regarded him seriously. ‘When you were changing, just before the beautiful serpent woman arrived, I thought I saw something.’
‘Oh yes, what was that?’
Roddy bit his lip and squeezed his eyes shut as he made himself remember. ‘It was like a dream. I could see you running.’
‘Running, eh? Perhaps because I was about to be given the legs of a man.’
‘No, it was as though I was being shown something. I see things sometimes. I keep them to myself because they can be bad. There was a time when I had a vision of the crops failing. Another time I saw that the Robbun family’s only son would die of the shaking fever — and that was a whole anni before, when he was healthy.’
‘I see. Those aren’t nice visions to have.’
Roddy nodded. ‘My mother told me to keep them to myself. So when I saw the fire in my mind — the one that I told you about, that brought me here?’ Ravan nodded. ‘Well, I didn’t tell anyone that it would happen but every day I waited for it. And one day it came and I was ready.’ He pulled a rueful face. ‘I didn’t know I’d have to try and save Plod, of course.’ At Ravan’s frown, Roddy grinned. ‘My cat.’
‘Ah. Brave.’
‘Not really. He was a good friend to me.’
‘Did you see Piven in your vision?’
Roddy shook his head. ‘No, but I knew I would be hurt badly but survive. I trust my visions. They are never wrong.’
‘And so you’ve had a vision about me?’
‘I think you have the power to move as freely and easily as you did when you were a bird,’ Roddy replied gravely.
‘Fly?’
Roddy exploded into laughter. ‘No. You don’t have wings any more!’
‘Then how?’
‘On those legs you are so proud of. I think they will carry you much faster than you can imagine.’
‘Really?’
Roddy nodded. ‘Let’s try.’
‘All right,’ Ravan said, bemused. ‘Stand back!’ he said dramatically, making Roddy grin. ‘Here goes.’ He ran and was out of Roddy’s sight within moments, but returned at immense speed, dust swirling in his wake.
‘Strike me!’ Ravan declared. ‘I’m glad you shared your vision!’
Roddy laughed loudly. ‘You were gone from sight within a blink. Have you any idea how fast you are?’
Ravan shook his head with wonder. ‘I see everything ahead in perfect clarity but everything else is a blur rushing by. I can feel the wind created by my speed. I know it’s fast.’
‘I think we can get to the forest rather quickly if you can manage me on your back.’
‘Manage? This incarnation has given me the strength of two men, I’m sure. Come on, Roddy, we have a journey to make, into the hills above the Deloran Forest.’
Loethar looked at Elka and gave her a wry smile.
‘And what am I supposed to read into that expression?’ she asked.
‘I thought you’d like to know what your two friends are discussing,’ he replied.
‘Oh, so your Valisar powers permit you to read minds or overhear from long distance, do they?’
He laughed. ‘I do like you, Elka. De Vis is a lucky man.’
‘A short one.’
He laughed deeper, genuinely amused. ‘I wish I had some of the famed Valisar magic. I have none. My only power will be borrowed if I can reach it.’
‘But why?’
He sighed. ‘You know, I’ve been beginning to ask myself the same question. I’m asking myself why about a lot lately. At least Denovians are happier under my rule.’
‘If that were true I could only be impressed.’
‘But it is true,’ he pressed.
‘No, Loethar. The Denovians were not given any choice. You might think your way has been better for them — and you could be right — but harmony is really only achieved when there is free choice.’
‘Are all Davarigons so philosophical?’
‘I’m afraid so. It’s why we keep to ourselves.’
‘In case you bore people.’
It was her turn to laugh. ‘You know, for a bloodthirsty tyrant you are also reasonable company.’
He bowed his head in a mock salute. ‘So are you interested in what I was going to share with you?’
‘I don’t suppose saying no will shut you up?’
‘No. Besides, I want to dazzle you with my insight. I’d like to show just how easy my nephew is to read and how blinded by loyalty your friend de Vis is.’ He saw her bristle. ‘Forgive me. While I’m happy to taunt them, I bear you absolutely no ill will. You have been more than fair and extremely generous. I see that I hit a sore point with my barb.’
She shrugged. ‘If I had my way I would already be back in the mountains.’
‘With or without him?’
She nodded.
‘Ah, and your head and heart are sore at this.’
‘On the surface we are ill-suited, I know. But we are a good match. Regor … or Gavriel, as I must now call him, has a blind faith in the Valisars.’
‘It is to be admired.’
‘I do admire it. But it brings only sorrow to my life.’
Loethar just nodded, watching her.
Elka gave a sad smile. ‘What are they discussing?’
‘Did you understand what they were talking about regarding the aegis for each Valisar?’
‘I followed it. It’s a horrifying concept but the more I learn about the family, the less surprised I am. Would you really bind a man to you in such a vile manner, committing him to a living death?’
‘Faris would be alive, Elka.’
‘To be alive is to have free will.’
He nodded. ‘Ah, back to that. But life is rarely fair or neat.’
‘I agree. But you two would be bound together in hate. Imagine spending the rest of your life under the protection of someone who hates you.’
He shrugged. ‘My whole life has been spent like that.’
‘I’m sad for you, Loethar. I wonder what sort of man you’d have been had you been born into the palace as the true Valisar son and heir.’
‘Quite different. Anger and the drive for revenge against the family that disowned me has sadly shaped me.’
‘You are a good ruler.’
‘I know.’
‘Even Gavriel admits it.’
‘But against all of his good sense, all his instincts and admiration for you and your sense of what is right, he will follow Leo down a dark path.’
‘Dark path?’ She frowned. ‘What does that mean?’
‘Right now, if I’m not mistaken, Leo is sharing with de Vis his plan to trammel Faris.’
‘What?’ Elka’s expression darkened.
‘I’d lay my life on it.’
She was silent a moment, considering. ‘He can’t, though,’ she finally replied, her brow knitting deeper. ‘Isn’t Faris your aegis?’
‘He can. Any aegis is available to any Valisar if we recognise him or her. It’s just that the aegis can hide relatively successfullyif he doesn’t run into his own Valisar. Faris did. And now he’s a marked man for either Leo or myself. Your friend de Vis will be drawn into the subterfuge, and once Leo trammels Faris he will kill me.’
‘I won’t permit that to —’
‘You will have no say. You will also have no weapons or even ability against an aegis. Leo will command Faris. And Faris will use magic against anyone who so much as stands up to Leo. He will be invincible against any sort of threat.’
She looked at him, aghast. ‘Would you have done the same?’
‘I am Valisar,’ he replied, vaguely embarrassed.
She gave a low, animal-like growl of fury. ‘That sort of power should not be in anyone’s lap.’
‘Well, Leo will probably argue that it’s to protect the people, return the true heir to the throne, get rid of the tyrant … he’ll have many compelling arguments. Power corrupts.’
‘Gavriel won’t agree to this.’
‘You’ve just finished telling me that Gavriel has blind faith in his role to protect Leo … the true king.’
Elka bit her lip. ‘What do we do?’
‘Warn Faris, perhaps, although if he’s as smart and cunning as he’s been all of these anni I suspect he might have worked it out for himself.’
Elka looked at him. Loethar didn’t need to ask, could see the comprehension revealing itself in her astonished expression. ‘You want me to let you go?’
‘I am happy to remain your prisoner but at least put some distance between Leo and myself. Just give us some time to work out how best to handle this. I know you need time to let it all sink in.’
‘You want me to desert Gavriel and the king we’ve come back for, in order to protect the very man they have wanted to kill for the last decade?’
Loethar took a long breath. ‘When you put it like that it does seem rather a lot to ask. But yes, that is what I am asking of you.’
Elka walked away, turning her back on him.
‘There’s not much time.’
‘Be quiet!’ she ordered and he obediently fell silent. Moments later she turned back and hauled him to his feet.
‘Well?’ he asked.
‘Just get up and get moving,’ she instructed. ‘I’m going to hide you, and then I’m going to find out exactly what Gavriel and his king are plotting.’
‘Thank you, Elka.’
‘Shut up, Loethar. Have you any idea what a betrayal this is of Gavriel?’
‘It’s the right decision until you can be sure that theirs is best. If you do, then I’ll accept death. So you hold my life in your hands.’
‘Can you move?’
‘Not easily but yes, of course. I can ignore any amount of pain if it means survival.’
‘I will kill you myself if you try anything. Now grit your teeth and move!’
He did just that, setting his jaw, ignoring the pain jarring throughout his body, forever thankful that his legs could still work freely. And together, he and Elka headed deep into the higher part of the forest.
Gavriel spun around twice, confused and then shocked. ‘She’s gone,’ he said.
Leo let out a howl of anguish. ‘I knew it! I knew the Davarigon bitch couldn’t be trusted!’
Gavriel loomed before him. ‘Be careful, Leo. Be very careful. I’m sure Elka has an explanation for this.’
‘Explanation? Explanation? How about treachery? Or betrayal? That has a nice ring. Was it just my imagination or did you notice how friendly the two of them were? She protected his life with her own not so long ago. Now she’s taken him somewhere.’
‘You don’t know that!’
‘Open your eyes, for Gar’s sake, Gav! She’s gone. And so is he. It doesn’t matter how it came about. It makes no difference whether he charmed her or overwhelmed her or simply persuaded her with reason, but she must be helping him. Or at least one of them would be here where we left them not so long ago.’
‘But why? Give me a reason why she would do this?’
Leo shook his head. ‘What does it matter?’
‘It matters. Elka does nothing without rationale. She thinks everything through. I think the last truly spontaneous act that woman made was interfering in my life and wresting me back from those barbarian soldiers.’